In conjunction with co-sponsors Shure, Martin Lighting, and Media Shout, Yamaha Corporation of America will host a training opportunity open to all church technicians who seek in-depth knowledge in the areas of audio and recording during the Worship Arts Technology Summit (WATS), to be held June 8-10 on the campus of Biola University in LaMirada, California

Audio Track training seminars will encompass 12 sessions and several will encompass hands-on labs mixing live music. Session cover the basics of mixing on a digital console with emphasis placed on building a recallable mix template. Training on analog consoles will also be provided.

The Audio Fundamentals Group A and Group B sessions, taught by Dan Craik, house of worship marketing manager for Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, will focus on common audio terms, standards and practices using a Yamaha M7CL console. “This class will cover a non-mathematical overview of the physical and psycho-acoustical properties of sound that every mix engineer must know,” states Craik.

A third Audio Track session entitled the Art and Science of Mixing/EQ will cover all aspects of the mix, focusing on EQ, with a fourth session entitled the Art and Science of Mixing/Effects Processing with a focus on compression and use of effects.

Three microphone sessions are scheduled: How to Mic Individual Instruments, Recording Basics, and a session on Wireless Mic Systems presented by Doug Gould of Shure.

Additional sessions include the Art and Science of Mixdown; Racks and Stacks; Critical Listening taught by house of worship audio engineer John Mills; Audio System Design; and Mixing for the Musical Production.

Darryl Sutton will spearhead the Lighting Track with classes in Lighting Set Up, Lighting Design, Automated Lighting and Maintenance, PC-Based Lighting Control Part I and II along with a PC-Based Lighting Control Workshop. Paul Jackson from Media Shout will discuss the marriage between lighting and media elements in the house of worship environment.

“WATS at Muskegon, Michigan was a maiden voyage for us, and so this year we have planned specific sessions based on the overwhelming response we received from those that attended last year,” says Craik. “The manufacturing sponsors are quite cognizant of the expense associated with attending WATS, so we want the time technicians spend with us to be well worth the trip.”